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Nydia Margarita Velázquez (born March 28, 1953) is the U.S. Representative for New York's 12th congressional district, serving since 1993. She is a member of the Democratic Party. The district includes residential areas of three boroughs (Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan). She is the first Puerto Rican woman to be elected to Congress, and the chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus until January 3, 2011.
Early life, education and career
Velázquez, whose father worked the sugar cane fields, was one of nine siblings born in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico. She was raised with the influence of political dinner table conversations. Her father was a local political activist and, from a young age, she would accompany her father to political rallies. Her father would focus on the ...

Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) commented today during debate on the House floor over legislation to extend the payroll tax holiday:
“In less than two weeks, taxes are set to rise, cuts to Medicare payments will occur, and emergency unemployment will lapse. With the economic security of so many Americans at stake, we cannot allow this to happen. Until an acceptable long-term solution is offered, it would be irresponsible to forego a short-term extension that enables small firms and the American people to move forward with our economic recovery.
“Almost 12 million Americans ...

Rep. Nydia M. Velazquez (D-NY), the top Democrat on the House Committee on Small Business, today introduced two pieces of legislation aimed at spurring hiring in the small business sector and creating new, well paying jobs for Americans. Velazquez's proposals come as the President prepares to outline his vision for job creation.
"The President and Democrats in Congress are serious about getting down to work and creating the jobs Americans and New Yorkers so desperately need," said Velazquez. "I look forward to hearing the President's remarks tonight and hope that he's open to incorporating ...

Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez became the first local rep to issue a blunt warning to the Joint Select Committee onDeficit Reduction–a.k.a “The Super Committee”–writing a letter to members that stated that any efforts to reduce the deficit must not include cuts to federal housing programs.
“From affordable housing, to job creation, New York’s entire economic well being could be fundamentally shaped for the next decade by the Super Committee’s decisions,” Velázquez. “We need to make our City’s voice heard early and often ...